'TIGER AIRWAYS LEAST POPULAR AIRLINE AMONG AUSSIES'

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- Australians have voted Tiger Airways their least favourite airline, says a new survey.

The Domestic Airline Satisfaction Survey conducted by Choice magazine ranked
Tiger lowest, with a 55 percent satisfaction rate.

Jetstar was rated second-lowest, with a 60 percent satisfaction rate, while
Virgin Blue was the most satisfactory, at 68 per cent.

Travellers liked Virgin Blue's friendly crew, but some found its quirky
on-board banter irritating.

Internationally, Singapore Airlines was rated number one for overall
satisfaction, with a 78 percent rating, followed by Emirates, Air New Zealand
and Cathay Pacific.

Jetstar was the lowest-ranking airline for international satisfaction, with
a 53 percent satisfaction rating.

Qantas was second-lowest, with 59 percent, and Virgin Blue third worst, with
65 percent.

There was some good news for Tiger Airways, as it was voted best when it
came to value for money, at 75 percent.

The survey comes as the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading revealed it
received 1,546 travel-related complaints in the 2008/09 year, compared with
1,200 in 2007/08 and just 1006 in 2006/07.

Complaints also included unsatisfactory service, cancellations and
non-listing of prices and fees.
-- BERNAMA